Written by Lloyd Ribner III (@Ribner3)
The Hoosiers hope to have Tim Beckman scratching his head when Illinois comes to town in Week 11.
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For the first time since non-conference play we are breaking
down a game that should basically be a lock for the Hoosiers heading into the
season. The Illini were an abomination last season, going winless in Big Ten
play. Head Coach Tim Beckman is already on the hot seat in Champaign, which led
to changes throughout the coaching staff during the offseason.
The history of this series is not quite as rosy for the
Hoosiers however. These two programs have met on the gridiron 70 total times
dating all the way back to 1899. However, of late the matchup has been a dead
heat as the two teams have split the last ten meetings.
Week 11: Illinois
Fighting Illini
Time & Date: TBA,
Saturday, Nov. 9th
Venue: Memorial
Stadium (Bloomington, IN)
TV: TBA
Fighting Illini at a
Glance:
Head Coach: Tim
Beckman (2-10 (0-8), 1 year)
Last Season: 2-10
(0-8, 6th Big Ten Leaders)
Offensive Formation:
Spread
Defensive Formation:
4-3
Returning Starters:
Total: 12
Offense: 8
Defense: 4
Specials: Punter
Returning Team
Leaders:
Passing: Nathan
Scheelhaase (60.6%, 1361 Yds, 4 TD, 8 INT)
Rushing: Donovonn
Young (571 Yds, 4.4 Avg, 3 TD)
Receiving: Ryan
Lankford (37 Rec., 469 Yds, 12.7 Avg, 5 TD)
Preseason Magazine
Predictions for Illinois:
Athlon: 4-8 (1-7),
6th Place Big Ten Leaders
Phil Steele: 6th
Place Big Ten Leaders
Lindy’s: 6th
Place Big Ten Leaders
Sporting News: 6th
Place Big Ten Leaders
Why the Illini could
win:
There are not many positive vibes coming out of the Illinois
program, and the feeling towards them nationally is no different. However,
there are a few reasons to say that the Illini might be able to come into
Bloomington and pull of a mini upset.
First and foremost the offense should be better than last
season as Tim Beckman brought in former Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit
as the new offensive coordinator. The cupboards are far from bare, lead by
three-year starter Nathan Scheelhaase at quarterback. Scheelhaase has seen it
all during his colligate career and should bring the senior leadership that a
team needs when trying to dig themselves out of the trenches. Aiding him in the
passing game will be six of the top seven pass catchers from last season
returning in 2013. In addition there are three different rushers returning who
gained over 300 yards in 2012, and leading rusher Donovonn Young had his
biggest game of the year, last year against Indiana. The Texas native rushed
for 124 yards on 21 carries on the day in a losing effort.
Why They Won’t Pull
it Off:
While it was pretty difficult to devise reasons as to why
the Illini would be able to come to Bloomington and score an upset, it was
rather simple to come up with reasons as to why they will not be able to pull
it off.
While Nathan Scheelhaase is potentially entering his fourth
year as a starter for the Illini, the fact remains that his career has seen its
share of potholes. Last year was a major
step back for him after tossing a combined 30 touchdown passes in his first two
years combined; he threw just four in 2013. He was so bad at times that he was
pulled in favor of Reilly O’Toole. While O’Toole slightly more efficient, it
was not as if he lit the world on fire. Outside of his monster five-touchdown
performance against Charleston Southern, the rising junior threw just one
touchdown in comparison to four interceptions.
While there are both pass catchers and running backs
returning in droves, the fact remains that none of them were overly impressive.
Leading returning rusher Donovonn Young had just a singular 100-yard
performance last year. Leading receiver Ryan Lankford returns, but he too only
had one 100-yard game in 2012, and only caught five or more balls in three
games last season.
Flipping to the other side of the ball, things do not get
much better. There is no player returning with more than linebacker Jonathan
Brown’s 2.5 sacks last year. In addition just for returning players tallied
more than 40 tackles last season. Big plays may be an issue as well as just
four total interceptions are returning from last year.
Final Analysis:
The Illini coming to town should mark the most winnable game
in the Big Ten slate for Indiana in 2013. While they do have some talent in
spots, the fact is that the Hoosiers should outclass them, especially on the
offensive end.
I expect a high scoring game, but one that the Hoosiers will
run away and hide in, scoring points early and often, forcing Illinois to take
chances of their own offensively. The problem is that they don’t have the
talent necessary to make the plays they will need to stay in the game. In addition those Illini chances may very
well lead to big plays for the Hoosiers defense.
If you want to see a Big Ten win for the Indiana Hoosiers
this year, this is your game as it practically a must win if they want to go
bowling at the end of the season.
Indiana’s Chance of
Winning: 90%